WASHINGTON - Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg of New Jersey, the last World War II veteran in the Senate and a stalwart Democrat who led congressional battles over three decades to toughen gun laws, ban smoking on planes and crack down on drunk driving, died Monday at age 89. Lautenberg, who was the Senate's oldest member and his state's longest-serving senator (28 years, 5 months and 8 days), died of complications from viral pneumonia at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, his office announced.

WASHINGTON - New Jersey Democrats chose Newark Mayor Cory Booker, a rising party star, in Tuesday's special primary to seek a U.S. Senate seat this fall, while Republicans selected Steven M. Lonegan, the former mayor of Bogota, N.J. Booker has drawn national attention for his efforts to improve "Brick City" and his embrace of Twitter as a form of civic engagement. He is favored to replace Democratic Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, who died in June at 89. The winner will serve the remaining 15 months of Lautenberg's term.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) isn't getting a particularly warm response from Giants officials in his effort to change the team's name to the New Jersey Giants. Lautenberg said he sent Giants' co-owner Wellington Mara a letter asking him to consider the name change after talking to Mara about it a party. Mara was "noncommittal," he said. The team has been based in East Rutherford, N.J., since 1976 but still calls itself a New York team.

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), the last World War II veteran in the Senate, died Monday morning at age 89 due to complications from viral pneumonia, his office announced. Lautenberg was first elected to the Senate in 1982, retired in 2000 and then returned to the chamber in January 2003. He was known for championing gun control and anti-drunk-driving legislation and leading a successful effort to ban smoking on planes, among other causes. In February, he had announced plans to retire when his term expired in January 2015.

When Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.) arrived late for a Superfund hearing Thursday, he apologized for "sticking my nose into global matters" that left him with 15 stitches to the nose, chin and neck. Lautenberg, 69, said he had an accidental encounter with a globe in a brass frame. According to his press secretary, the senator was being briefed by an aide Wednesday when he tripped on a floor tile in his office and hit the globe head-on. He was treated by the Capitol physician.

A senator told the secretary of transportation Wednesday to stop using "double talk and petty technicalities" and take serious steps to improve air safety and reduce airline delays. But Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Hanford Dole, testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee's transportation subcommittee, said her agency has been straightforward about its safety program and has adjusted its efforts wisely during a period of rapid air traffic growth.

States that prohibit tobacco sales to minors and enact other anti-smoking provisions would become eligible for $100 million in grants under legislation introduced in the Senate Thursday. Sponsored by Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), the bill would reward states that bar the sale of cigarettes to youths under 18, restrict vending machine sales of cigarettes to places where minors are not permitted and end the distribution of free samples of cigarettes.

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), the last World War II veteran in the Senate, died Monday morning at age 89 due to complications from viral pneumonia, his office announced. Lautenberg was first elected to the Senate in 1982, retired in 2000 and then returned to the chamber in January 2003. He was known for championing gun control and anti-drunk-driving legislation and leading a successful effort to ban smoking on planes, among other causes. In February, he had announced plans to retire when his term expired in January 2015.

February 14, 2013 | By Lisa Mascaro, This post has been updated, as indicated below.

WASHINGTON -- Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, the last of the World War II veterans in the Senate, is retiring at the end of this term, he said Thursday. Lautenberg, who turned 89 last month, had been planning to run for reelection in 2014. This year, however, Cory Booker, the mayor of Newark, indicated interest in the job and began forming a campaign committee to explore the option. Booker is not the only potential candidate, and the prospect of an open Senate seat could set up a scramble among Democrats.

WASHINGTON - New Jersey Democrats chose Newark Mayor Cory Booker, a rising party star, in Tuesday's special primary to seek a U.S. Senate seat this fall, while Republicans selected Steven M. Lonegan, the former mayor of Bogota, N.J. Booker has drawn national attention for his efforts to improve "Brick City" and his embrace of Twitter as a form of civic engagement. He is favored to replace Democratic Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, who died in June at 89. The winner will serve the remaining 15 months of Lautenberg's term.

WASHINGTON - Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg of New Jersey, the last World War II veteran in the Senate and a stalwart Democrat who led congressional battles over three decades to toughen gun laws, ban smoking on planes and crack down on drunk driving, died Monday at age 89. Lautenberg, who was the Senate's oldest member and his state's longest-serving senator (28 years, 5 months and 8 days), died of complications from viral pneumonia at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, his office announced.

February 14, 2013 | By Lisa Mascaro, This post has been updated, as indicated below.

WASHINGTON -- Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, the last of the World War II veterans in the Senate, is retiring at the end of this term, he said Thursday. Lautenberg, who turned 89 last month, had been planning to run for reelection in 2014. This year, however, Cory Booker, the mayor of Newark, indicated interest in the job and began forming a campaign committee to explore the option. Booker is not the only potential candidate, and the prospect of an open Senate seat could set up a scramble among Democrats.

In an election crucial to Democratic Party hopes of retaining control of the U.S. Senate, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Sen. Robert Torricelli can be replaced with a new candidate on the November ballot. Torricelli set off a scramble Monday when he withdrew from the Senate race because of sagging poll numbers and political scandal. After consultations, former Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg agreed to become the party's candidate.

When Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.) arrived late for a Superfund hearing Thursday, he apologized for "sticking my nose into global matters" that left him with 15 stitches to the nose, chin and neck. Lautenberg, 69, said he had an accidental encounter with a globe in a brass frame. According to his press secretary, the senator was being briefed by an aide Wednesday when he tripped on a floor tile in his office and hit the globe head-on. He was treated by the Capitol physician.

States that prohibit tobacco sales to minors and enact other anti-smoking provisions would become eligible for $100 million in grants under legislation introduced in the Senate Thursday. Sponsored by Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), the bill would reward states that bar the sale of cigarettes to youths under 18, restrict vending machine sales of cigarettes to places where minors are not permitted and end the distribution of free samples of cigarettes.

A senator told the secretary of transportation Wednesday to stop using "double talk and petty technicalities" and take serious steps to improve air safety and reduce airline delays. But Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Hanford Dole, testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee's transportation subcommittee, said her agency has been straightforward about its safety program and has adjusted its efforts wisely during a period of rapid air traffic growth.

In an election crucial to Democratic Party hopes of retaining control of the U.S. Senate, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Sen. Robert Torricelli can be replaced with a new candidate on the November ballot. Torricelli set off a scramble Monday when he withdrew from the Senate race because of sagging poll numbers and political scandal. After consultations, former Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg agreed to become the party's candidate.

President Clinton said Tuesday that the budget he will send Congress on Feb. 7 will propose paying off the entire $3.6-trillion national debt by 2013--two years earlier than had been expected even a few months ago. At a news conference, the president attributed the opportunity for a speedup to an economy that is even stronger than had been forecast, resulting in higher tax revenue and lower expenses, and to his own austere budget policies.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) isn't getting a particularly warm response from Giants officials in his effort to change the team's name to the New Jersey Giants. Lautenberg said he sent Giants' co-owner Wellington Mara a letter asking him to consider the name change after talking to Mara about it a party. Mara was "noncommittal," he said. The team has been based in East Rutherford, N.J., since 1976 but still calls itself a New York team.